Firewire 5'2" Too Fish Surfboard Review

IMPORTANT: Due to some licensing issues with the music, I had delete the old post. Please like even if you have already liked the old upload. And very sorry about losing the comments. :(
After a very long 6 months (no camera), I am finally getting around to reviewing a surfboard. And this time, it is the 5'2 Too Fish by @firewiresurfboards and Rob Machado. This board relative to its height has heeps of volume up in the front 2/3 of the board allowing for great paddle speed and wave catching ability, also the tail is bladed out so that if surfed off the tail, it can have quite a bit of performance. Having said that, most of us that aren't Rob, we will love the board for its glide, flow, and speed.
Please watch the video to the end because I mention a really cool thing I did with this board and fin setup as well as a list of boards I have in possession which I plan to review soon. As always, I really appreciate you all, thanks for your continued support.
Surfer: 5'8" 145lbs
Surfboard: 5'2" x 20.31" x 2.25 @27.8L
Fins: Machado Keel fins
Traction: GoFish pad
Leash: FCS Helix
Wetsuit: Volcom 5/4/3 Modulator hooded (I'm a big wuss)
Upcoming board for 2024, in no particular order:
Pyzel White Tiger
CI Dumpster Diver 2
Firewire GWT
Album Twinsman
Lost RNF Retro Revamp
Firewire Revo
Firewire Hydroshort
HI Moe Mini
HI Mid6 Mini (if I can get my hands on one)
Firewire S-Boss (if I can get my hands on one)
Firewire New Releases (if any new ones come out)
#surfer #surf #surfing #surfboard #surfboards #surfboardreview #surfboardreviews #firewire #robmachado #surfermag #stab #surflesson #surflessons #surfergirl #asiansurfer #beginnersurflessons #beginnersurfer #learningtosurf #wavestorm #firewiresurfboards #gofish #toofish

[@csarquiweb]

Great review Thomye. Your surfing looks great! Looking forward to your Hydroshort review.

[@TheSurferYoda]

Man! You are ripping! Super stoked to see your reviews. They inspire me to try less volume.

[@surfingcavachon]

I really, really appreciate reviewers who take the time to look at the board design, rails, rocker, and bottom contour. That's a real review. One thing you might want to look at also is fin placement. Has a huge effect on board performance also.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Agreed. And that's a very good point, thanks.

[@Namidan-The-Surf-and-Sea]

Stoked about the review and surfing!!

[@Alex-it5ej]

Great review, done so well.. epic surfing look forward to that pyzel white tiger

[@lunny84]

Great review Thomye! Great footage and the board looked so light and nimble under your feet. I’m 6’6, 100kgs (220)and ended up getting the 6’1 at 42.6L. This was done by recommendation by FireWire Australia. I usually ride 39-40L but the extra float hasn’t been noticed. The board paddles really well as shown in your video and with the tail being so refined it turns. Using the new machado keels and no reason to change out. I would describe the ride as light, meaning you don’t feel drag in the water. The board just goes. Thanks again Thomye, I was looking for a review like this before I made my purchase but this supports my experience. Happy surfing.

[@ODL957]

Great surfing and thaks for posting

[@scotnicos5383]

Great video Thomye, love that slowed down hack! Re the asym fin setup, definitely interested in this as I've been playing (thanks fcs2 for your fin system that lets go of fins when grubbed in during a bottom turn👌🤨). Results were good!! Keep them coming mate!

[@ETYSURF]

THOMYE BACK LIKE BUTTER BABY

[@alexhan2773]

DOUBLE LIKE

[@nikolaygeorgiev7139]

Hey, congrats on another great review! I am thinking of getting the Revo(it has a discount now,) so I was wondering when you will go with the Revo review? Out of everything i've seen I think your reviews are most down to earth and equivalent to real life! Keep up the great work...

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I have like 3 boards I have to get through on account of the boards being borrowed. What I know about the revo up to now is that I like it longer than expected. Having said that, I originally bought the 5'3 AWT version of the Revo but hated it. A good friend of mine had the 5'4 version and she hated hers. We traded and she now loves hers, and I "like" mine much more. Can't say I love it except I did get the best barrel on it that I have had in a few years. Overall, I like it but can't say I love it yet. But I haven't put any real time on it nor have I experimented with fins. Fins can make a huge difference. Example, I hated the GoFish with the K2 Keels, so much so that I didn't surf it for 2 years. Then I put the Machado Keels on it and ended up loving it. It was my favorite board for a solid year. Fins can make or break a board. Anyways, I'll get to it as soon as possible. I agree, the sale price is hard to pass up. I bought mine on sale as well.

[@nikolaygeorgiev4804]

Hey, thanks so much for that! Really appreciate it. The revo looks like a funny board and everything I’ve seen online matches with your words. Maybe with a 2+1. I started riding twins two years ago and don’t want to ride different anymore(so the choice for revo came based on discount mainly). The great white looks too high performance and with too much rocker for me and the too fish looks too chunky and wide. My friend has a 5.6, I am 72kg and when I tried it it was like a short longboard, super floaty and just too big… maybe a 5.5 or even a 5.4 will fit a lot better though. Also these keels are positioned way back I think, so maybe with a smaller, keel like the Lovelace piggyback(something between keel and upright) will be nice. You said you tried it with an upright fin, so you like it? Have you surfed in bigger, steeper waves?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@nikolaygeorgiev4804 I actually surfed it Asym. I used the Orca's on my heel side and the RM keels on my toe side. I love Keels fins on my frontside as it gives me the most speed, drive, and projections. But I found it hard to surf backhand. Rather than swapping out the set for a more upright fin, I only put the upright on my heel side and surfed it asym. For me, it was somewhat of an eye opener. I'm editing my next video regarding what I did and how that ended up. :) you'll have to wait for that one.

[@stevedrake4505]

Would love to see a revo review

[@Iowa-dy2mi]

I been riding the warped pin by album and the twins man next one I’m debating is vb secret menu. Great review and great surfing brotha

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I'm excited to try the Album Twinsman. I got hold of one so hoping to get to it soon. Cheers brotha.

[@Iowa-dy2mi]

@@ThomyeSurfs have you riden any other album boards like the vesper or sunstone ?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@Iowa-dy2mi no not yet, they are much harder to get hold of than other brands. Also, most people are reluctant to let me borrow theirs, LOL. understandably. My buddy loves his Vesper Dia (sym), he is usually cool about lending me his boards but he rides his boards about 1 to 2 sizes to big for me. I feel like if I tried his boards, I would have a different opinion of them. I would say something like, it was slow to respond, but if I rode it in my size, it wouldn't be. Anyways, definitely trying to get Albums and other shapers but most don't have demos to loan out or charge too much to loaning them. I will keep trying tho. really looking forward to the Twinsman.

[@Iowa-dy2mi]

@@ThomyeSurfs I touch base with you if I do in case you want to do reviews on them

[@ThePokersurfer]

How's that air?! Rail line is too short IMO I've experimented since covid and found with my weight similar: 5'3 minimum 5'5 maximum for proper rail line surfing. 20.25 wide is the PERFECT width for vertical surfing. 30 cl optimum buoyancy sweet spot. Overall I'm so stoked you're on a REAL twin fin! Keel glass ons best fin vs. ALL the other notable Futures hands down! Asymmetric True Ames Geninis underrated and unearthed for ALL twins IMO! Trust me Bushman Flow with glass ons ....... you'll never want another surfboard! 5'3 x 20 1/4 x 2 5/8 (30.6 cl). The board has a mind of it's own honestly it dictates me for sure can't explain it ....... I think the secret sauce is it's nose template is more high performance pointy and more flip than a normal fish.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

spot on. I am torn right now between the 5'2 and the 5'3. and the odd thing is, the Too Fish for whatever reason, put the 2 sizes right next to each other. Not sure if you saw that chart. The GoFish spread them out pretty evenly. I think the 5'3 will definitely have better flow on rail. But the 5'2 is just so fun and flicky, not sure what the proper description is. I was telling someone else that if I wanted the feeling of a smaller board, I could just ride the mashup so a 5'3 for flow would be a better choice. :( I hate board decisions. haha

[@ThePokersurfer]

@@ThomyeSurfs Bushman Flow Twin with glass ons ....... BEST board ever for me! Been experimenting since 2006! Has beens: CI Merrick Retro Twin 2009 Arakawa Stubby 2012 Coil Industries M13 HP swallow quad 2014 FireWire Cymatic 2019 Bushman Flow 2023

[@jakegroneberg3034]

thanks for the review! Any insight on how this would go with a more pivot style fin steup?. You mentioned tracking a little bit and the deep single concave worries me a little for my surfing style.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I did try a pivot fin on my heel side only. I kept the keel on my toe wide and that worked surprisingly well. I thought it would improve my backhand but it did much more. it improved all my heel side turns so even going frontside, if I did a top turn, any time I shift my weight to the heel, I managed to turn the board better. I know it seems odd to use 2 different fins but for what i wanted, it was perfect and for that type of board, it made sense. I'm working on a part 2 to elaborate on that fin set up. hoping to finish it up this coming weekend.

[@jakegroneberg3034]

@@ThomyeSurfs that’s super interesting I’ll definitely have a look at the next video. Cheers!

[@fuzz6454]

If i oversized this board slightly i wonder if getting upright fins instead of keels would solve the tight feel? Thanks for the great review.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

it would definitely help. I used an upright on my heel side only and kept the keel on my toe side. that improved my backhand or heel side turns a lot. Also, another factor for me that I didn't mention was that the kick on the traction pad seemed too far up for me. I would have preferred it about 1" further back. so I didn't feel like I was standing in the correct spot.

[@CoryMaxBernhardt]

Great video! Great video ! THis is making me wonder if I should get this board, been thinkinh about picking one up! I just got the dominator 2 and the mashup and loving both baords. Wonder how this would fit in my quiver? Was all this shot on the solo shot and if so what version do you have?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Yes, soloshot 3+. I have owned the soloshot 1, 3, and now the 3+. The 3+ is a game changer for calibration and setup but it still has issues. As for the Too Fish, it's a great option if you are looking for a fish. Depending on your waves and skill level, the Mashup could be a good Daily with the D2 as a step up option. Depending on how you sized it. The great thing about the Too Fish is that it is totally different from the other two boards. So having said that, I think it would be a great addition to your quiver, a fish that is. Something like a Too Fish, Album Sunstone, CI Twin fin, etc. Although I have only tested the Too Fish.

[@jasonking8937]

Yeah Nah you are surfing really good. Great review especially the rocker outline explanation diagram

[@kristoffpistorius3771]

Hey Thomye! Are you going to buy the same length Too Fish as your Seaside lenght? Asking as I have the 5'8 Seaside and tossing up between that for the Too Fish or the 5'9. Wanting it for more grovelling so likely go the 5'9 but just conscious of the flatter rocker. Any thoughts?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

To answer your first question, I ended up going a bit less than my Seaside. I have the 5'3 Seaside which is 28.2L. I basically went with the 5'2 TooFish which comes in at 27.8L The volume/float is very similar. By nature of design, the TooFish will grovel better in terms of paddling and catching waves even at the same liters. It will be marginal but it pushes less water cuz of the rocker. It planes quicker and easier off the tail because of the width in tail. Again, very marginal if you are looking at the same size/volume. In your case, if you have the 5'9 Seaside and get the 5'9 TooFish, the volume is exactly the same. But the design does favor the TooFish for a bit of grovel. I can't express this enough but the difference will be marginal. Advanced surfers will be able to tell the difference. Beginners, not so much. Intermediate, depending on where exactly you fall, it will be marginal. The TooFish definitely isn't an easier board, it will want to go faster and straighter depending on the fins and where you stand. I had a tough time because the demo I had placed the traction a tad too far up. Anyways, just know that the design of the TooFish will grovel a bit better than the seaside. The design of the seaside, will surf easier in terms of turns and such. Hope that wasn't too confusing.

[@kristoffpistorius3771]

Thanks Thomye. I actually have the 5'8 Seaside and thinking the 5'9 Too Fish. I would place myself at intermediate to advanced. I once tried the 5'9 Seaside and found it noticably more corky than the 5'8. I guess I am trying to figure if the Too Fish 5'9 will be best option for me in those real flat weaker waves ? I personally dont enjoy grovelling on the Seaside. We dont get to trial boards where I live so real hard to decide on a purchase 😅 Appreciate you taking the time to answer messages. If you are ever in New Zealand, drop me a line!!

[@krishtayable]

can you review the precious and bliss by coco surf

[@samleary5657]

It seems like the too fish is better for groveling than the seaside. For east coast US surf would you go Too Fish or Seaside? Will this replace your seaside?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

liter for liter, definitely Too Fish will grovel better. just physics. I didn't think to put the two boards side by side, darn it. it would have been good to see the entry rocker to explain how the seaside might push water a bit more than the Too Fish. As for replacing, no. it shouldn't. they are different types of boards. It's like a comparing the 7 iron golf club to a A club or pitching wedge. You need both. LOL

[@samleary5657]

@@ThomyeSurfs Thanks so much! alright million dollar question - if you could only have one fish? Which one Too Fish, Seaside, or something else? I can only buy one.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@samleary5657 I would say seaside out of the one you mentioned but I don't really consider the seaside of fish. It's more of a modern fish if not just a swallowtail daily driver. It is so user friendly it'd be silly to go with anything else if I only had one choice.

[@softop1501]

Please do the RNF retro revamp review next

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I will try and get to it as soon as I can but I have to do the loaners first. So I can return the boards. The RNF is mine I bought it used. Sorry if there was more surf I would get to it quicker but it's been tough. But we'll try to get to it sooner rather than later

[@rctrix9063]

Have you reviewed any DHD boards. I'm not really a fish lover but the DHD 3DX is something that looks suited to your surf spot.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

no, most of the boards I review I either have to buy or someone loans it to me. Firewire, sine they are such a large company, they have demo days and with this board, they let me demo for a week. This is the only board that they allowed me to do that. I think because, they had two demo days on Saturday back to back and both were right by my so basically they let me borrow it one Saturday and let me return it the next. Worked out well that we and ok swell both Saturdays. I've not seen a DHD demo day and I don't know to many people that have one. I used to have a DHD pistol whip many years ago. Anyways, that 3dx looks like the dumpster diver 2 that I'm testing right now. They look really similar in outline. not sure about rocker and other features but same concepts. Hope to get on a DHD someday if it crosses my path.

[@rctrix9063]

@@ThomyeSurfs Suggestion for a review topic that should be for any budget... wax.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@rctrix9063 like different wax comparison?

[@rctrix9063]

@@ThomyeSurfs Yes, and other stuff. For example, where on the board to wax or not wax. I have recently stop putting top coat between my feet. Some people don't wax between their feet. My reason was, I recently tried a friend's longboard that had soft grip all over and it gripped so we I couldn't get up. The board was huge but it was really difficult to pop up. That got me pondering how much wax and grip effect your surfing. Many body boards wax the EVA deck on their boards. I think it's more about less grip, not more.... In the 70s Honey wax Was beeswax and not as sticky as the stuff we use now. I liked it but it eventually disappeared. Cheers.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@rctrix9063 that is a great point. and to be honest, bigger boards are harder to stand up on cuz they put back. Smaller board sink so it helps with the popup. I want everything to the nose only cuz I hate accidental slips that case those really long weird pressures. But maybe, I'll avoid the top coat in certain places. not that it has been an issue but it is a solid point. :)

[@takeshijune]

Where ls the boards list that you’ll be reviewing? All I saw was a quick clip

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I put a picture in the video of all the boards but here is the official list. Pyzel White Tiger CI Dumpster Diver 2 Firewire GWT Album Twinsman Lost RNF Retro Revamp Firewire Revo Firewire Hydroshort HI Moe Mini HI Mid6 Mini (if I can get my hands on one) Firewire S Boss (if I can get my hands on one)

[@benjaminm5232]

I love this board. I find that it works insanely well with the keels but I've got 30 lbs on you. Maybe go with a smaller keel?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

NVS has the Marlins which come in 3 sizes. Maybe I'll try the smalls vs the Large, which I used in the GoFish. thanks for the recommendation.

[@benjaminm5232]

@@ThomyeSurfs Oh cool. I never heard of NVS before and that Marlin fin looks very similar to the Machado keel but in different sizes! Now I need to know how that template in different sizes feels lol. So much of not spending anymore money on surf gear this month lol.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@benjaminm5232 I just tell myself that I "need" it. my board won't work without it. Here is an example, my Mashup, doesn't surf at all unless I have the Sharpeye FT. hahaha Works every time on me.

[@botaccount3449]

Ill be that guy, SeasDIE! (After you got me hyper focused on spelling with “too” fish/2 fish.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

overall daily, seaside, it will work in a variety of conditions and be a little (possibly a lot) more user friendly. Having said that, in the really fat conditions as seen in this video. Too Fish all the way. :) My buddy and I had the same observation. the seaside has a little more rocker (medium) and in these flat/fat conditions, it doesn't get into waves as easily. On a curved wave though, the seaside goes better. smoother.

[@botaccount3449]

@@ThomyeSurfs btw your backside top turns are looking smoother. Great work

[@77pebble]

Nice review! I’ll be sticky with my seaside on those cleaner days. However, I’m getting a locally made ‘Twinzer’ fish with channels in EPU (Epoxy Polyurethane blank) so it can handle chop better as I find the EPS blank Helium a little chattery at times and a little floaty (sits higher on the water). You should try a TWINZER Tom if you haven’t? I would be curious to see what you think of them especially with channels also.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@77pebble The twinzer is definitely intriguing. I haven't fully wrought my head around the concept. Think I need to do some reading.

[@robertstanfield745]

are you surfing dog beach at the HB clifs

[@ThomyeSurfs]

This is Bolsa. Easier to set up my camera there. I was worried about some dog playing and knocking over my camera, lol